Hi, all I can say is I'm so glad I found this wondeful cruiser's forum where I am sure I will learn much and hopefully be able to share some of my own experiences.

My husband (John) and I (Liz) own a 281 BeneteauOceanis sailing vessel which we have lovingly owned for 10 years now but embarassed to say that we haven't done a lot of long-term sailing. One of our dreams was to spend three months living (working a bit) and studying (back to school for me) onboard using the wonderful technology we have at our fingertips.

So here we are. We live in a place called Runaway Bay (Gold Coast) in QueenslandAustralia and are so lucky to be within easy reach of one of the most beautiful maritime parks in the world....The Great Barrier Reef. We've travelled to many places around the world but have spent very little time soaking up our little gems so nearby. Our boat, "Miss Lilly", is currently out of the water having some new equipment installed and we are hoping to set sail (at a leisurely pace) up the coast heading North to the Whitsundays. No particular plans for once (like many, we've had enough of deadlines and planned events) as long as we have time to stop at all the wonderful little bays and islands along the way we'll be very happy chappy's.

Aloha Liz and John,
Welcome aboard! Your post kind of made me think that sometimes I just like to sit on the boat with other boats in view at anchor or at a slip. It truly is relaxing. Dreaming of far off places and just know you could go is a great feeling but there is no need to be in a hurry to go to enjoy being on the water.
Kind regards,
JohnL

Welcome aboard Liz and John,
Having a boat for 10 years and doing very little sailing is probably represents the majority of the members on this board. I think I do more fixing than sailing. I can not wait to do more sailing than fixing. I think it has to do with too many other toys.
Fair winds and Here's to more sailing,
John

Hello JohnL and thanks for making me feel 'less guilty' We finally put our boat back in the water (after 5 weeks) and although initially I was fairly impatient I did find myself sitting up there so high out of the water and looking around all the other boats being refitted and it was quite nice under the stars and definitely a good and stable 'anchorage' for a change
Cheers
LIz

So glad we're not the 'only ones' I thought at first..."great, I get some spare time to see my family and do last minute things"...but didn't really expect to enjoy the experience of sitting there in dry dock amongst other boat owner doing their bit to get their dream moving along. Hopefully 'fair winds and more sailing' soon.

__________________All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangereous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. T.E. Lawrence

Good to see another Ozzie on the board. What's the sailing like in Western Australia? I would love to pluck the courage and continue the journey to the top, across and back down the West Coast of Australia one day. I am currently studying online through Curtin University there and it would be a fantastic feat to get finally get my degree and to sail there to collect it
Happy Sailing.
Liz

Well its a bit different to the Qld coast to be sure. Much more remote, not many (as in very very few) safe secure anchorages and these can be hundreds of miles apart at times. Off shore reefs are another hazard. The south west corner (Cape Leeuwin) had forecasts of 40 to 50 kts, 3 metre seas and a 5 metre swell last weekend. Half the coast is lee shore most of the time. However in the right time of the year and with an off shore boat, it is a great sailing if you like to get away from it all.

The Kimberly coast is a bit like Cape York but many times bigger and far less people however I have only seen this part from the air although I almost got there by boat from Darwin a few years back .

The Swan river is one of the world's best kept sailing secret. Champagne sailing right in the heart of the city.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Lilly

I would love to pluck the courage and continue the journey to the top, across and back down the West Coast of Australia one day. I am currently studying online through Curtin University there and it would be a fantastic feat to get finally get my degree and to sail there to collect it
....

And sail home around the bottom - now there's a great goal for you.

__________________All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangereous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. T.E. Lawrence

Good to see another Gold Coaster here. I am doing much the same as you, fitting new things and preparing to go north. We play in Moreton Bay at weekends and just might see you pair out there someday.
Garry